The North Central College Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan
Since North Central’s founding in 1861, the vision of first president Augustine A. Smith has been at the core of the College’s values: “A college should be a great moral lighthouse, sending out a clear and steady light upon all subjects that pertain to the well-being of [humanity] in this world and the world to come.” While the context has evolved over time, it's hard to imagine a time when this vision for higher education is more important than today.
The Strategic Plan is the result of collaboration from across all parts of the College to define the College’s collective vision for the future. The plan includes core values, vision and mission statements, and 19 strategies that support four strategic imperatives.
It’s an inspirational plan that envisions North Central College’s Brilliant Future.
Core Values
North Central College values a rigorous, student-centered education grounded in the liberal arts tradition with purposeful integration of professional studies and civic engagement. While at its core is a residential undergraduate institution, we value distinctive programs for graduate and non-traditional students. We govern ourselves in a shared model between faculty and administration, overseen by a Board of Trustees, and value academic freedom in the development and delivery of our curriculum.
We are a diverse, inclusive, and global community. We are an engaging and mentoring educational community that nurtures a culture of curiosity and fosters life-long learning. We have rigorous expectations of all students, of faculty as teachers and scholars, and of staff as partners in student success. We value quality, respect, and collaboration.
We value the development of the intellectual, the physical, and the spiritual human being. To that end, we encourage engaged civil discourse and dialogue on disparate viewpoints. We value the integration of the curricular, co-curricular, and athletic experiences. We value our alumni and their ongoing commitment to and engagement in our success. We value our affiliation with the United Methodist Church and its contribution to advancing the spiritual health of the campus in all its diversity.
We value our special and storied relationship with Naperville and the surrounding region as a community with which we share values of strong fiscal and environmental stewardship, an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and a steadfast commitment to being destinations for success.
Vision Statement
North Central College will be a national model of a transformative undergraduate education, enhanced with distinctive graduate and professional programs, in all things steadfastly committed to a liberal arts tradition.
Mission Statement
We are a diverse community of learners dedicated to preparing students to be curious, engaged, ethical, and purposeful citizens and leaders in local, national and global contexts.
